What makes someone an entrepreneur? Can anyone become an entrepreneur, or are certain people born for the job?
Lucky for you, anyone can become an entrepreneur. Though successful entrepreneurs are all unique, there are a few character traits they often share. Here are 4 traits that define a successful entrepreneur.
They Are Strong Leaders
A common characteristic of entrepreneurs is that they are strong leaders. They go beyond a position or a title and instead find unique and exciting ways to motivate people. They know exactly how to persuade people to help them in their mission while also ensuring that the people around them benefit from the experience.
Successful entrepreneurs can shift between multiple leadership styles to best suit the people with which they’re working. Most importantly, they view leadership as an ongoing journey and not a destination. The best entrepreneurs stay on top of the latest leadership styles and find ways to implement them within their companies.
They Aren’t Afraid of Failing
What makes an entrepreneur stand out from the crowd is their ability to turn failures into opportunities for growth. Every obstacle and setback is viewed as a chance for improvement instead of a reason to quit. Even Walt Disney, one of the most iconic entrepreneurs in history, was rejected 300 times before his idea for “The Happiest Place on Earth” became a reality. Had Walt not used those rejections as opportunities for growth, we wouldn’t have the Disney franchise many know and love today.
If you’re someone who needs to reshape their relationship with failure, check out “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell. Maxwell offers valuable advice for people looking to redefine the meaning of failure.
They Are Agile
Running a startup means encountering issues or changes you likely weren’t expecting. Successful entrepreneurs know how to go with the flow, and they don’t get too set on one approach to running their business. They’re open to new ideas and approaches to their business, and have a backup plan for if something goes wrong. The business world is constantly changing, which is why agility is an important quality for entrepreneurs to learn.
They Are Always Ready to Learn
The best entrepreneurs understand that nobody can possibly know everything. They rely on outside resources to teach themselves the skills they need to make their business a success. They’re not afraid to call upon other, more qualified people to take on responsibilities they are unsure about.
The most successful entrepreneurs understand that it takes a village to build a business and that they usually won’t be the one with all the answers. So don’t be afraid to grab a book or pick up the phone to call for help—it will only benefit you and your business.
Being a successful entrepreneur takes many different skills, and maybe you aren’t equipped with all of them yet. But, the good news for you is that anybody can become an entrepreneur. These skills aren’t things someone is born with—they can be learned and strengthened by anyone. If you’re ready to take your small business to the next level, it may be time to consider hiring a business coach.